Honey, it's been a lovely cruise...

What a great day in Islamorada! The kids always look forward to the first day with no singing! This morning we went our separate ways, fishermen and women one way, and snorkelers the other. Some went with great anticipation and excitement while others will slightly more trepidation and fear. On the fishing vessel, it was so fun to watch first timers get over their fears. Of touching dead squid, and handling a sharp hook, of reeling in fish and keeping lines from tangling. My favorite part of the day was watching kids begin to get the hang of it and even start to teach others around them tips and tricks, trading rods that were good luck, and cheering on each other as they hauled in their first fish. 

Jesus said to them, Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch [snapper] and [yellowtail] instead of perch and bass.
                           Matthew 4:19
                           The Message

Okay I lied. My favorite part was actually catching a shark. I think in the end, the crew was pretty impressed with our haul. We ended up with over a hundred Yellowtail a handful of Snapper, some small grouper and other assorted fish, a Yellow Jack, and a nurse shark. After lunch, kids began to feel the effects of the heat (and the smell of bait) and we decided to call it quits and head for shore. 

This shark, swallow you whole!
                                  -Jaws

When we rendezvoused with the snorkeling crowd it was apparent they had equally as much fun. They stopped at two different sites and saw beautiful crystal clear waters, a wide variety of fish a aquatic life, and took lots of underwater selfies. 

After everyone was back on shore, we met up at the Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar for a wonderful bayside dinner right on the sand. We started with appetizers of our freshly caught Yellowtail, blackened and fried, followed by a wonderful assortment of fish and shrimp, ribs and burgers. After dinner, we hung around, listened to live music, played at the waters edge, and water for the sun to set as tourists do in the Keys. As sunsets in the Keys go, it wasn't the greatest, but the bar is set pretty high around here!

We got back to the hotel in time to swim for an hour or so and now everyone is tucked in after a long day in the sun. Tomorrow, we begin the trek back North. 

Click here for more pictures from today.